[Autism and Asperger resources] Until recently, most autism groups concentrated their support on people with more visible and profound impairments. People with Asperger's (like me) are often not obviously impaired or handicapped. Despite that outward appearance, many Aspergians struggle, especially in their early years.
GRASP is the Global and Regional Asperger Syndrome Partnership. Global name notwithstanding, GRASP is most active in USA. They run groups like AANE, and they are active online. Their website has a list of groups around the country. GRASP is headed by Michael John Carley, a well know Aspergian and advocate.
666 Broadway, Suite 830
New York, NY 10012
646-242-4003
The Asperger Association of New England is one of the most active Asperger advocacy groups in the country. AANE organizes support groups for Aspergians of all ages and their family members. They sponsor workshops and hold an annual convention in the greater Boston area.
85 Main Street
Watertown, MA 02472
617-393-3824
Here is a list of regional organizations with local events and meetings, provided to me in January 2008 by the folks at AANE and GRASP
Greater New York City area »
AHA-NY — 4300 Hempstead Turnpike, Bethpage, NY 11714,
partners with GRASP — 666 Broadway, Suite 830, New York, NY 10012,
New Jersey » ASPEN-NJ — 9 Aspen Circle, Edison, New Jersey 08820, 732-321-0880
Greater Philadelphia area » ASCEND — P.O. Box 531, Ardmore, Penn. 19003-0531,
Local Philadelphia support group » GRASP
Central Pennsylvania » ASAN
Greater Baltimore area » ASAN
Greater Washington DC area » AAGW
Virginia Beach area » GRASP local Virginia Beach support group
Greater Toronto area » TAAProject — P.O. Box 23030, Toronto, ON M5N 3A8, Canada,
Greater Chicago area » MAAP — P.O. Box 524, Crown Point, Ind. 46307, 219-662-1311
Local Chicago, Naperville, and North Central Illinois support groups » GRASP
Cedar Rapids/Iowa City area » GRASP local Iowa City support group
Greater Denver area » GRASP local Denver support group
Greater Salt Lake City area » GRASP local Orem/Provo support group
San Francisco Bay area » AASCEND — P.O. Box 591011, San Francisco, Cal. 94159,
partners with AUTASTICS — 303 Adams St. #409, Oakland, Cal. 94610, 510-444-4777
Greater Los Angeles area » GRASP local Los Angeles support group
Listservs/Newsgroups/Message boards
Several of the organizations above (ANI, AANE, GRASP, ASAN, AAGW) run their own listservs/message boards. In addition, here are some listservs/newsgroups/message boards that operate independently of organizations that meet in person:
AutAdvo (Autistic Advocacy)
ICORS ASPERGER Listserv
InLv (Independent Living on the Autism Spectrum)
alt.support.autism (Usenet Newsgroup)
Support and discussion about the Autism spectrum (Google group)
bit.listserv.autism (Usenet Newsgroup)
Websites and blogs
The Autism Hub (blog consortium)
University Students with Autism and AS
autistics.org (civil rights advocacy)
The Autistic Adults Picture Project
Frank Klein's Autistic Advocacy website (companion to AutAdvo Yahoogroup above)
IRC Chat Channels
#asperger
Organizations that accommodate all people on the spectrum, but are focused on the more autistic end
Autism Network International is a self-help and advocacy organization for autistic people, run by autistic people. They have an annual conference and retreat called Autreat. Find them at
P.O. Box 35448
Syracuse, NY 13235-5448
315-476-2462
Autism Speaks is the largest autism advocacy organization. They have chapters around the country. Autism Speaks holds walks and other fupndraising events year round.
Autscape (annual conference/retreat in the UK)
AutCom (civil/human rights and access to communication for autistic
people)
P.O. Box 429
Forest Knolls, Cal. 94933
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